Aston Villa will step up preparations for next week’s Europa League final against SC Freiburg when Unai Emery’s squad returns to training at Bodymoor Heath on Monday.
Villa are aiming to end a 30-year wait for major silverware, and Emery is hopeful of having most of his key players available for the showdown.
Boubacar Kamara remains unavailable through injury, while Ross Barkley and Alysson are ineligible after being left out of Villa’s Europa League squad earlier in the campaign.
The main fitness concern ahead of the final surrounds Amadou Onana, who is currently recovering from a calf problem. The midfielder has missed Aston Villa’s last four matches after being forced off during the second half of the Europa League semi-final first leg against Nottingham Forest.
In Onana’s absence, Victor Lindelof has been used in a holding midfield role, although the Swedish international was substituted at half-time during Villa’s recent defeat to Liverpool after experiencing minor foot discomfort.
Despite that issue, Lindelof is expected to be fit and available for selection against Freiburg on Wednesday.
Emery Faces Midfield Selection Choice
Emi Martinez is expected to start in goal for Villa, with Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres and Lucas Digne likely to form the back four in front of him.
Even if Onana is passed fit enough to be included in the squad, Emery may decide against risking the Belgian from the start and instead use him as an option from the bench if required later in the game.
That would likely see Lindelof continue alongside Youri Tielemans in central midfield.
Further forward, John McGinn is expected to feature on the right side, while Emi Buendia and Morgan Rogers support Ollie Watkins in attack.
Buendia could be handed an important starting role as Villa look to use his creativity and movement between the lines against the Bundesliga side.
Strong Bench Options Available
Emery is also expected to have several attacking options available from the bench for the final.
Tammy Abraham, Leon Bailey and Jadon Sancho could all play important roles if Villa need additional attacking threat during the match.
With a European trophy and another major milestone under Emery on the line, Aston Villa are expected to field one of their strongest available line-ups in Germany.
Predicted Aston Villa XI
Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Torres, Digne; Lindelof, Tielemans; McGinn, Buendia, Rogers; Watkins.
